Hello from Brussels!

Right now Brett and I are in Brussels, Belgium for our "Connect 09" (formally known as CSM) annual student training. We are having an amazing time and really experiencing God and learnign so much! There are around 90 of us here and it is so exciting to reconnect with staff who are doing student ministry around Europe and gather with students who are around the continent and world.

I thought I'd briefly just share what are days are like here and ask if you would be praying for the days ahead with us. That students would continue to experience the love of God in even greater ways, that they would get a hunger to go deeper in their faith and commitment to Christm gain a passion for reaching out to their universities and that the Holy Spirit would be leading and guiding us every step of the way. Thank you! We truly believe this time to be precious and huge part of building the momentum for the year ahead. God wants to use these students to reach Europe!

The conference is for 10 days which allows relationships to be more fully developed and an opportunity to really dive in and get a better idea of the SFC (Studetns for Christ Europe) community, be encouraged, and be empowered to go back to where we are all from and implement what we have learned.

Here is a breakdown of the schedule:

8-8:30 breakfast

9-9:30 Worship

9:30-10:30 Class (students have signed up for a specific themed class that they will attend the entire 10 days. 1st time students are enouraged to attend the one entitled "Reach the U" but other classes offered are about Adventurous Faith, Life in the Spirit: Living the intimate life, Unraveling the Mystery of the New Testament (Kelly, Brett, and I are taking this one- it is so great and we are learing so much!) and Acts...I may be missing something, but you get the idea. :)

10:30-10:45 break

10:45-11:45 Class again

11:45-12:00 Break

12:00-1:00 Elective (can choose from differnent relevant topics that pertain to living as Christian in this world) or Coaching= gathering in our country groups to pray, talk, and plan for reaching students in our specific cities and universities)

1:00-4:00 Lunch and free time

4:15-5:15 Small Groups (students are mixed together in a group they have througout the conference to discuss how things are going, what they are learning, and pray for oneanother, Staff meets together to discuss, evaluate and pray for our SFC Europe ministry)

6:30-7:15 Evening meal

8:00-9:30 Evening meeting (worship, speaker, group interaction,etc.)

So there you have it! It is a full 10 days!! We try to make it not only listening to teaching, but interactive and participatory as well. It is a really powerful week for everyone who attends. So keep us in your prayers and we will update you when we return and have some photos to share as well!

This time is bittersweet for us with the knowlege that, at least for a time, we will be leaving Europe, but it is truly a blessing to again be a part of this. It is amazing to be a part such an incredible Europe-wide community (with plenty of Americans in the mix as well!)

Thank you for your prayers- they make a difference! You are in our prayers as well.